My Health Story

My Health Story: Kayla Lugo

Kayla Lugo
Arthur Hill High School

The Arthur Hill High School-Based Health Center has an impact on every student. The SBHC provides services such as counseling, physicals, and much more. Also the SBHC offers dental services twice a year. I personally appreciate the SBHC.

At the beginning of the school year the SBHC encourages everyone to fill out a consent form. This is encouraged so that students can utilize the services offered through the SBHC. The social worker at the SBHC is available to assist the students; in addition she also works closely with the school’s social worker. If you do not have insurance the SBHC will assist you in enrolling in health insurance. If you are sick during school you can go to the health center to be seen.

The health center also offers fun options for students like the Teen Advisory Council. In addition, the SBHC Social Worker Ms. Kaylea conducts a couple of groups including an art therapy group. The art therapy group allows students to express their emotions through various forms of art such as paintings and creating sculptures.

When I was a freshman I was looking for a fun student led organization to join. It seemed like I couldn’t find anything because most groups were either held after school or were restricted to upperclassmen. I wanted a group who met during school hours and was open to freshmen. I found a board advertising the group entitled the Teen Advisory Council. I kept thinking to myself that this was the perfect group for me. I went to one meeting and after attending I knew this group had met my criteria. Ever since then I have attended every meeting. The T.A.C. give back to the community and I am enjoying being part of it.

The health center is very important to me. If funding is removed from the health center I am unsure of how my medical and emotional needs will be met. This is why I believe the health center should stay open.

About the My Health Story Contest

School-Based Health Care Awareness Month is the time each year that we pause to celebrate the value of school-based, school-linked and school wellness programs. This year, we asked youth across Michigan to tell us how a School-Based or School-linked Health Center has improved their health and helped them to succeed in school. Contestants were asked to submit an essay about their experiences with a Health Center. Stories will be posted daily on our website beginning in February during Awareness Month to the end of April when we host advocacy day. You can see all the contest entries here.